A sculptural courtyard designed by artist Adam Tihany is shown in a restaurant area of the Aria hotel-casino, the centerpiece of the $8.5 billion CityCenter project in Las Vegas, Nevada December 14, 2009. Aria, the centerpiece of the $8.5 billion CityCenter project, opens to the public December 16. The CityCenter development is a partnership between MGM Mirage and Dubai World. Reuters Pictures logo Reuters Pictures 3 months ago

A sculptural courtyard designed by artist Adam Tihany is shown in a restaurant area of the Aria hotel-casino, the centerpiece of the $8.5 billion CityCenter project in Las Vegas, Nevada December 14, 2009. Aria, the centerpiece of the $8.5 billion CityCenter project, opens to the public December 16. The CityCenter development is a partnership between MGM Mirage and Dubai World.

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  1. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  2. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  3. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  4. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  5. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  6. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  7. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  8. LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 01: Fireworks explode over the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter as part of a New Year's Eve celebration January 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  9. Saeed Humaid al-Tayer, center, the Chairman of Dubai Racing Club and Chief Executive of Meydan, a government-run company spearheading the project, waves to the hotel staff at the lobby of the hotel in Meydan Grandstand and race track in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  10. Larry, a safety officer, takes a photo of the Meydan Grand Stand and Race Track in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  11. A man cleans the lobby of the 290-rooms-with-a-view luxury hotel at the Meydan Grandstand and Race Track in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  12. The rooftop swimming pool is seen at the Meydan Grandstand and racetrack in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  13. The 60,000 spectator Meydan Grandstand receives the final touches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  14. Pakistani laborers fix the fences at the Meydan Grandstand and Race Track in Dubai Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  15. The 60,000 spectator Meydan Grandstand receives the final touches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.
  16. A safety officer drives a club car at the Meydan Grand Stand and Race Track in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The opening of Dubai's $2 billion race track is the latest indication that the indebted Gulf sheikdom has no plans to scale down ambitions to host high profile sports events, particularly those close to its ruler's heart. The inaugural race on the new 1.75 kilometer (8.75 furlongs) track with a synthetic surface will take place on Thursday. The race complex will be officially opened for this year's Dubai World Cup on March 27.

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